The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-01-13
THE MICHIGAN MEN.
The Early Birds that Caught the Worm ut Peters.
burg.


EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: No member
OF the LIST Mich. SharpshOoters, so far as i have
seen, has claimed any particular credit because
il was the first to enter and place its flag in
Petersburg Va. Gen. Grants movement on
our left at Five Forks compelled the rebels 10
evacuate the city. 1t became the duty OF the
SharpshOoters and the other troops immedi-
Rtely in front Of the city TO hold the rebel lines
full in their front and prevent them from de-
taching TO the right On the Cd day of April
rebels were detached from the front of the
SharpshOotcrs when the regiment made q
charge and succeeded In taking the rebel works
10 the extent of its regimental front, losing
quite heavily. The object Of the attack having
been successful in forcing the rebels back, the
regiment was withdrawn.
AT midnight of the Sd OF April &c was the
first TO announce the fact that the rebels were
evacuatng the city. 1t was at once deployed
as skirmishers and went into the city on the
heels Of the retreating rebels IL placed its
flag on the Courthouse, and this was done be-
fore daylight Of the Sd Of April, 1865 Those
comrades who have thought that they were
first in the city were mistaken, and yet they
deserve as much credit for their enterprise in
getting into the city as the Sharpshooters. 1t
is not who should be credited with the honor,
il is history we are dealing with. So far as
that is concerned, my comrades who think diff
ferently about this question will OILY have 10
wait until the official records are published for
that year, 70 find that the honor of the first
entry into Petersburg, Va, IL awarded 20 the
LIST Mich. Sharpshooters.
As it will be some time before the official
record for that year will be published, will
quote q portion Of the history il will contain.
The first thing captured by the Sharpshooters
was not tobacco" but the following document,
which was sent 10 the brigade commander, Col.
Ely:
Lieut.. Gen. u. a. Grant, commanding the armies
OF the United States or the Maior-Cseneral com
manding u. =. forces in front OF Petersburg. Gen
erRl: The city OF Petersburg having been eyacu-
ated by the Confederate troops. we. a COMMITTEES
authorized by the Common Council, do hereby
surrender the city 10 the United States forces with
"A request for the protection of the persons and
property Of its inhabitants.
We are, respectfully, your obedient servants,
w. w. TONNES, Mayor.
DARCY PAUL.
CHARLES Il. COLLINS.
PETERSBURG, April 3. 1865
Col. Ely replied that the people could be as
sured Of the protection Of the Second Brigade.
Mr.. Thomas Nj. Cook, at the time the Ninth
Corps correspondent Of the New York Herald
writing Of the Ninth Corps taking Petersburg
said:
The LIST Mich. shRrpshooters leading the Skin.
mishers and pressing hard upon the rear Of tlle
rebel forces We're the first 10 enter the long fought
Il
/ In the city.
Gen. o. b. Wilcox reported officially, as fol
lows:
Al about a. m. on the Sd some OF our parties
broke through. Bentlefi7s Brigade advanced upon
Cemetery Hil, and Elys moved directly into town
with a section OF stones battery 4 gave Col ElA
orders 10 take measures 10 at once secure order Ia
the city AT 4:2s one Of Ely's flags that Of the Isl
| Mich. sharphhooters, raised on the Court
house, and that OF the "a Mich on the Custom.
house a lew minutes later, and guards were posted
about the town.
was not present at the taking Of Peters
burg but my late comrades statements and the
Ebove extracts leave no doubt as TO the facts
GEORGE II. MURDocK, Captain, Co. ], LIST Mich
sharpshooicrs, Berrien Springs, Mich.